At 20, Ivanovic is two years younger than Safina but more experienced on the big stage. She’s seeking her first major title after finishing as runner-up to Justine Henin at the 2007 French Open and to Sharapova at the 2008 Australian Open.

Ivanovic showed plenty of pluck in the semifinals Thursday, coming from behind three times to beat fellow Serb Jelena Jankovic. The victory ensured Ivanovic will claim the No. 1 ranking for the first time next week.

Nerves sabotaged her chances in the final a year ago at Roland Garros, and she won only three games in a dismal performance. It was an experience many players would be eager to erase from their memory, but not Ivanovic.

“I don’t want to forget it, because it was great learning experience,” she said. “I learned a lot from Justine and the emotions I was feeling going on the court.

“I feel like a different player coming into this French Open. A lot of experience I gained from that final and the final in Australia, so I really hope I can step up this time and make one more step.”

Regardless, Ivanovic will supplant Sharapova atop the rankings next week.

“Coming into this tournament, I didn’t expect that,” Ivanovic said.

Safina helped create the opening in the rankings by beating Sharapova in the fourth round. Safina lost the first set, trailed 5-2 in the second and faced a match point at 5-3.

Her deficit was identical in the quarterfinals against Dementieva. But in the semifinals, she dispensed with such drama and took charge from the start against No. 4-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova, winning 6-3, 6-2.

“I said, ’OK, now I’m not going to be passive anymore. I have to be aggressive, because there will be no third chance,”’ Safina said.

When she completed the straightforward victory, Safina raised her arms and waved her fists. Count on a more exuberant celebration if she wins the title.

MORE FROM TENNIS

Tennis Section Front

Murray opens with win ATP says it can't reopen Agassi drug case Interactive: Creating the perfect tennis player ATP, WTA scores, schedules MORE ON TENNIS Latest tennis videos   Tennis Section Front   Add Tennis headlines to your news reader: